Kurdish Militant Group TAK Claims Responsibility For Deadly Ankara Bombing

A Kurdish militant group has claimed responsibility for this week's bombing in the Turkish capital, Ankara, that killed 28 people, according to a statement issued on its website.

In the February 19 statement, the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK) once linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) said it carried out the bombing in response to operations by the Turkish military in the southeast of the country.

The group threatened to continue its attacks, while warning foreign and nationals tourists not to visit touristic locations.

"We are not responsible for who will die in the attacks targeting those areas," the statement by TAK said.

The group most recently claimed responsibility for a mortar attack at Istanbul's second airport in December that left one dead.

TAK said last year that its ties with PKK militants had been severed. Both groups are regarded as terrorist organizations by Ankara and Washington.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP